This page summarizes current internal funding and other opportunities for BU faculty. If you would like to become a CISS faculty affiliate, please complete this application. For external support opportunities, please consult the External Funding Opportunities page. If you would like to announce a funding opportunity, please share with CISS using our contact form.
Faculty and staff in need of support can contact: Faculty & Staff Crisis Support
EXTENDED: CTSI K12 The K12 program is a mentored career development program for BU’s most promising junior faculty translational researchers. The BU CTSI anticipates awarding 4 positions this cycle. Eligibility Criteria Applications cannot propose a pilot clinical trial under new NIH K guidelines, but can propose training in clinical trials and participate in their mentor’s clinical trials. 🗓️ New Application Deadline: Friday, September 18th at 12 noon. Posted: 09/15/2026 Do you have a project that could use extra funding to reach its full potential? BU Crowdfunding is here to help you make it happen! BU Crowdfunding (09/25) We are excited to announce that we are now accepting project submissions for the Late Fall BU Crowdfunding cycle. This is your opportunity to bring your innovative ideas, service trips, events, or other BU-specific ventures to life with the support of the Boston University community. Why BU Crowdfunding? Receive every dollar you raise without worrying about processing fees. Our dedicated team will guide you through setting up and launching your campaign. Fundraise with confidence on the official university crowdfunding platform. Important Note: While our team provides valuable resources and guidance, the success of your campaign ultimately depends on your efforts. As the project leader, you will be responsible for actively leading and managing your fundraising campaign. Our role is to empower you with the tools and support you need, but it will be up to you to rally your network and drive the fundraising efforts. Eligibility Requirements: 🗓️ Info Sessions: Need more info? Come to one of our Zoom information sessions! 🗓️ Late Fall Deadline: Applications for the Late Fall Cycle (Nov. 3 – Dec. 2) must be submitted by Friday, September 25 by 11:59 pm. Posted: 09/10/2026 NEW Ignition Awards (12/01) Do you have an idea for a product or service that can have real-world impact? Are you developing a solution to a market-relevant problem within your area of expertise? If so, you’re likely looking for resources to navigate the entrepreneurial process and transform your innovation into a potential commercial opportunity. Idea to Impact Demonstrating proof-of-concept using an industry-acceptable model, comparing performance of a device against industry standards, creating a prototype, running an alpha/limited beta test, etc. Defining current state of the art, assessing the competitive landscape, identifying key differentiators for your product/service, understanding the size and segments of an intended market, etc. More Than a Funding Source The IA is more than a funding source. It is also a support program during which each faculty-led innovation team will have the opportunity to interact with technical and business leaders who will work with you and your team over the next year to refine technical plans and improve your ability to look at the opportunity through an “impact-potential lens”. Each awardee will have an advisory committee to provide advice and guidance to the project team along the way to achieving defined technical and business milestones. More than anything, the Ignition Awards are designed to be an educational experience to: All BU faculty members are invited to submit a pre-proposal for this cycle of the Ignition Awards. Please see application details below. The pre-proposal is not a business plan, although you will be asked to provide information commonly found in business plans. The pre-proposal is the opportunity to “Share Your Vision” and communicate where you are on your entrepreneurial journey. We understand that all innovations are not at the same stage of development and that the paths to commercialization will vary. You may have researched and then clearly identified a problem in a market in need of a solution, but you do not know how to build the prototype that you envision. You may have an incredibly innovative technology but are having difficulty identifying how to use it most effectively to disrupt a market. We would like you to consider applying to the Ignition Award Program no matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey. Share Your Vision with us! The Faculty Entrepreneurship Team is here to help. Questions? Contact Melinda Shockley at shockley@bu.edu. 🗓️ Pre-Proposal Deadline: December 1st, 2026 Posted 09/16/26Fall 2026 Opportunities
Calling all innovators, entrepreneurs and impact creators!
The are here to help.
Ignition Awards (IA) support all stages of the innovation cycle from idea to impact. It is a program providing directed resources, both financial and advisory, to innovators who are committed to converting an idea/innovation into a potential product/service opportunity that will impact the way we live today and tomorrow. Ignition Awards support steps on the entrepreneurial path by focusing resources to address the early technical and business milestones that if achieved may define your idea/innovation as a viable commercial opportunity. The Ignition Award funds support:Technical Milestones
Business Milestones
Hariri Institute Call for Proposals: FY28 Focused Research Programs (02/04) The Hariri Institute for Computing’s Focused Research Programs (FRPs) support intensive, faculty-driven efforts in multi-disciplinary teams. The FRP mission is to evolve and advance Boston University’s research in computing, computational, and data-driven science and engineering around areas of strategic importance and emerging opportunity. The programs are designed to facilitate research convergence by providing ‘scaffolding’ for groups to coalesce in sustainable ways, with the goal of accelerating research for future funding and broader impact. Call for Proposals The Hariri Institute invites pre-proposals for its FY27 FRPs. Proposing a FRP is a two-stage process. FRP Pre-proposals are due 2/4/27. Full FRP Proposals are due 4/1/27. All Boston University faculty are eligible to submit proposals for and participate in FRPs. Important Update for the 2027 FRP Cycle: Eligibility requirements and participation limits have been revised compared to prior FRP cycles. Faculty are strongly encouraged to review the updated eligibility criteria below before developing or submitting a proposal, Faculty interested in submitting a FRP pre-proposal are strongly encouraged to discuss their ideas as early as the fall with the Hariri Institute’s Director, Yannis Paschalidis, yannisp@bu.edu. Funding decisions are typically made in April or May, following the spring meeting of the Hariri Institute Steering Committee. Posted: 05/28/2026Spring 2027 Opportunities
Call for Summer 2027 Pre-College Course Proposals Do you have an idea for a course that could inspire the next generation of BU students? The BU Summer Term Pre-College Program is seeking proposals from faculty, staff, postdocs, and other instructors in CAS to develop and teach new courses for academically ambitious high school students ages 14–17. For Summer 2027, courses will be offered through the Academic Immersion (AIM) and Summer Challenge programs. Instructors will have the opportunity to develop a course aligned with their expertise and teaching interests. The proposal process begins with a course concept (not a fully developed syllabus), and selected instructors will have additional time to work with the Summer Term Pre-College team to develop their courses before the summer. For 2027, proposals are especially encouraged in the following areas: Biosciences (any field) Medicine/Pre-Med (any field) Health Sciences/Public Health (any field) Engineering (any field) Finance Marketing/Advertising Leadership Mathematics Psychology (any subfield) Sports Business/Management Sports Medicine/Physiology 🗓️ Deadline: Course proposals are due by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026. Complete details are available on the Job Opportunities page. Interested in learning more? Join a virtual Information Session on Tuesday, September 15, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET for an overview of the programs, the proposal process, and considerations for teaching high school students. Have a course idea to share? We encourage CAS faculty, staff, postdocs, and other teaching professionals to explore this opportunity to engage with talented high school students and introduce them to the academic community at BU.Calls for Summer 2027
The activities supported by the fund will complement or enrich students’ experience in your course, giving them the opportunity to apply material from class and to learn by doing. Award amounts are typically determined by course enrollment and capped at $45 per student. Current fund levels allow the AEF to support EL activities for approximately 200 students each semester (across multiple courses, if applicable). As of Fall 2024, faculty members receiving awards will be asked to have their students complete a short reflection on their experiential learning activity. Funding is reserved for new or pilot EL initiatives; activities that are a required part of the curriculum and those integral to the course design will not be supported. AEF funds are intended for one-time purposes only. (Requests for recurring funding should be made as part of the annual budget submission process. Please work with administrators in your department or program to prepare the request.) View a list of activities previously funded by the AEF. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling CASDI Rapid Innovation Initiative Fund Applications are open for the CAS Diversity & Inclusion Rapid Innovation Initiative Fund. The Fund is available for CAS affiliated faculty, staff, and students, as well as committees, department, and programs whose projects advance equity related goals as outlined above. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee on a rolling basis and evaluated based on fidelity to the DEI focus, potential impact, and available funds. The recommended grant request amount is $100-$2,500 but each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This fund was established in May 2021 by Jonathan Broughton Hodge (CAS’97, ’99). 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling If you have reviewed the Crowdfunding Policy and believe BU Crowdfunding is right for your project, please submit an application below. The Application Details section provides an outline of what is needed to submit a project. Need more info before applying? Review the posts in our application phase category for helpful resources before submitting a project. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Jewish Cultural Endowment The Jewish Cultural Endowment (JCE) supports Jewish cultural programs across the University, sponsoring lectures, conferences, literary events, curricular enhancement, and artistic performances and exhibitions. Its mission is to foster an appreciation of Jewish culture in all its richness and diversity. The JCE invites grant proposals from individuals (faculty, students, and staff) with access to a BU program administration that will be responsible for planning, promoting and executing the event. JCE funded events must take place on the BU campus and should directly benefit the BU community. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling/Monthly. There are three submission deadlines each year in February, May and October . All proposals will be discussed and voted on by the JCE steering committee within two weeks of their submission. Update Your BU Experts Profile There’s no better time to add or update your faculty expert profile. Boston University faculty members may be called upon to provide expert commentary and analysis on a broad range of topics. Update your profile by submitting this form. If you have questions, contact BU PR at pr@bu.edu or CAS Communications at cascom@bu.edu. Future of Learning: AI Grant (FLAG) newly launched initiative will fund small, low-cost, AI-focused projects up to $5,000. Open to Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows, FLAG funding is designed to serve as a springboard for the exploration, design, and implementation of new or improved pedagogical approaches using generative AI in courses and educational programs that support learning for BU students. Learn about this funding opportunity and start experimenting! FLAG Initiative proposals are accepted monthly and reviewed by the leads of the three DL&I units – Center for Teaching & Learning; Education Technology group; and the Shipley Center. Expected response time for submissions is two weeks. This grant will follow the same schedule as our ACT grants. 💰Funding Information: up to $5000 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling/Monthly Accelerating Classroom Transformation (ACT) Grants The ACT Initiative invites Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows to experiment with learning technologies to improve the BU student experience. Intended to fund small, low-cost, technology-enabled projects, ACT Grants serve as a springboard for the exploration, design, and implementation of new or improved pedagogical approaches in courses and educational programs that support learning for BU students. Individual Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows may apply for an ACT Grant. 💰Funding Information: up to $5000 may be used for technology licenses, hourly wages for students to assist with the implementation or assessment of the project, or other associated costs. ACT funds will be distributed to your BU department for management. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling/Monthly Boston University’s Office of the Provost is pleased to announce the return of assessment mini grants, intended to help faculty and staff develop strategies for reflecting on student learning and success. Although all proposals will be considered, preference will be given to proposals that align with the 2030 Strategic Plan. Grant awardees will be expected to present their projects at a newly reinstituted Assessment Symposium. 💰Funding Information: Grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to BU faculty and staff members to conduct program assessment-related projects that directly support student learning and success at either the undergraduate or graduate level. For further information, including the application template, click on the BU Office of Provost site, or contact crstone@bu.edu with any questions about the grants and the application process. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling BU’s Impact Measurement & Allocation Program (IMAP) seeks proposals from BU investigators that aim to explore how sustainable investing practices can contribute to a more sustainable future, with a focus on ESG (environmental, social, and governance) metrics within the financial industry. IMAP is currently prioritizing work focusing on climate risk, carbon accounting, and human capital. Proposals are reviewed year-round. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Call for Applications: Assessment Mini-Grants The Boston University Office of the Provost has announced a new round of assessment mini-grants, intended to help faculty and staff develop strategies for reflecting on student learning and success. Grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to BU faculty and staff members to conduct program assessment-related projects that directly support student learning and success at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Although all proposals will be considered, preference will be given to proposals that align with the 2030 strategic plan. Grant awardees will be expected to present their projects at a newly reinstituted Assessment Symposium. For further information, including the application template, please visit BU’s Assessment Mini-grant website. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling New Proposal Development Support: BU is rolling out a suite of research development services to support faculty investigators in securing extramural funding and leading programs for their research, including workshops, templates, and consulting for large-scale, interdisciplinary grants. New resources include an expanded Proposal Library, now browsable by grant component (e.g., biosketches, data management plans), and a recording of a recent workshop on developing plans to promote equitable and inclusive research. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Faculty Affiliate Program. We are now accepting applications on a rolling basis for Faculty Affiliates. BU faculty and full-time lecturers from across the university who are engaged in research, teaching, or training in social sciences are eligible. Affiliate benefits include (a) opportunities to participate in Center activities and network with social scientists through affinity groups, pilot grant programs, paid student internships, workshops, conferences, and book events; (b) access to Center research support and services, media outreach, and event promotion; and (c) opportunities for leadership including serving on the Steering Committee and subcommittees. Affiliate terms are for five years, contingent on active participation in the Center. Please contact Deborah Carr, Director, Center for Innovation in Social Sciences (carrds@bu.edu), with any questions. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling BUCH Rolling Award Deadlines Fellowships for both junior and senior faculty members that support a semester’s leave of absence for full-time research and participation in the Fellows Seminar. Project Awards that support colloquia, conferences, lectures, and other scholarly programs and events. Publication Awards that defray costs of publishing new monographs. Library Awards that support new acquisitions. Second Book Workshops for faculty. The Center will continue to develop new programs in coming years to meet the changing needs of faculty in the humanities. Please click here and scroll down to join our mailing list and receive our bulletins, which feature weekly humanities events and opportunities. For all other inquires, please use our “Be in Touch” form or send us an email at buch@bu.edu. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling CAS Diversity & Inclusion Rapid Innovation Initiative Fund The Diversity & Inclusion Rapid Innovation Initiative Fund is an endowed fund designed to provide support for projects that will advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at the College of Arts & Sciences, specifically by providing the CAS Dean with the means to propel and accelerate curriculum innovation; expand access to experiential learning activities, student-led forums and events; and help fund faculty outreach and recruitment.Rolling Deadlines
BUild Lab- Catalyst Program 2023-24 Applications Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Journey! Have you envisioned transforming groundbreaking technologies into market-leading products? The BU Catalyst Program is an excellent opportunity for MBA students to learn how to successfully bring technologies to the market!. Program Highlights: Tailored mentorship to conduct customer discovery for the technology. Engage with real-world projects and gain hands-on experience. Official LinkedIn Certification: Showcase your expertise with the “Customer Discovery Practitioner” badge issued by Boston University. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with the program commencing at the end of October. Seize the opportunity now! For further details, you can reach out to: shubhamt@bu.edu. Writing Instruction in the Age of Generative AI The Writing Program’s AI-Mediated Writing Committee came together to create a new set of resources designed to support our colleagues as we adjust to teaching writing in the age of generative AI. The committee developed the guide and tips base on readings by experts and their own early experiments with AI-mediated instruction to create resources that focus on the writing process, make connections between writing and critical thinking, and emphasize curiosity, creativity, and reflection.Academic Supports
Instructor-led Training Opportunities: In Person & Online IS&T is offering training courses that cover a variety of topics that will help you reach your goals. We are happy to announce that some trainings are being offered in-person again in addition to the virtual trainings. Secure your spot in a class by signing up through our training website today!! View our full list of instructor led trainings or browse our calendar of offerings and signup for a training., including: BUworks, Educational Technology (Adobe, Blackboard, Qualtrics, etc.), Research Computing (Python, MATLAB, R, Stata, etc.), WordPress/Website
Faculty & Staff Community Networks Faculty & Staff Community Networks (FSCNs), or employee resource groups (see list below), are identity-based organizations led by BU faculty and staff with the goals of building connections and fostering a sense of belonging among their respective community members and allies. The overarching mission: to catalyze a deeper sense of unity among individuals from underrepresented communities and their allies and to ensure that the University remains an institution where differences are understood to be a source of mutual power, insight, and effectiveness. As such, our FSCNs are open to all members of the communities they serve (and their allies). The missions of FSCNs cannot be designed to advance specific political viewpoints or ideologies. Any BU faculty or staff member can start a new FSCN! Click here to learn more about our existing communities or to express interest in starting a new FSCN.Other Supports